Introducing Technology Blog Research Project

You should begin your blog post with the definition of your topic.  It is difficult to discuss a topic if your audience does not have the knowledge.  It is your job to give your audience the required knowledge to help them understand your writing.

What is a blog? An abbreviated version of “Web Log,” it was originally developed as a diary type site but has changed over time. Blogging has become an important part our culture and the blogosphere can have a significant influence in politics, business and society. Blogs typically have a single area of interest or topic and each “post” includes some element of that topic. The following is a list of components on a typical blog.

Headers are Good for Breaking up Sections

Your blog post is left justified.  You don't indent.

Paragraphs are small and chunky.

MLA Source information for Pictures goes here.
Author. Title. Website. Publisher. Date, Accessed on.
Then HYPERLINK it to the image.
Make sure the hyperlink goes to NEW WINDOW.

Our Research Plan

Technology History and Information: Research Week 1
Social Issue(s): Research Week 2
(1 social issue: 3 possible solutions) or (3 social issues: 3 possible solutions)
Solution(s): Research Week 3, 4, 5
(1 social issue: 3 possible solutions) or (3 social issues: 3 possible solutions)

Outline (Topics of each blog post)
Intro:
Post 1: Why is this technology interesting? Background/history of technology
Post 2: Identify problem (s) in society (Must have research to back up- Fact not opinion)
Body:
Post 3: Solution #1 (Present/Future use)
Post 4: Solution #2 (Present/Future use)
Post 5: Solution #3 (Present/Future use)
Conclusion:
Post 6: How to encourage application or further development of this tech?

Finish your blog post with your source information at the bottom. It does not have to be indented, but the information must be in MLA order.

Mind Maps on Web Evaluation

Create your own mind maps at MindMeister

What a busy week.  From website evaluation to creating mindmaps, Intro to Publications has been busy.

Initially, IRIS: (Information and Research Instruction Suite for two year colleges) provided the information that I used for my students to discuss website evaluation.  My students really enjoyed looking at fake websites and trying to identify if the sites were real or not.  We discussed that knowing whether or not the information was true is extremely important academically and professionally.

My favorite website to use for evaluation is GenPets. It is a great site that can be confusing if students don't look for the information that states the website it the product of an artist.

Our Web 2.0 tool this week is MindMeister.  For some people, creating concept maps is a helpful tool.  A lot of templates showed Mind Meister to be a great tool for organizing websites, projects, and to-do lists.  Unfortunately, I am not a fan of concept maps; I have never been able to really utilize them personally.  Hopefully, someone will find this tool useful for many other aspects.

Students are continuing to use Michael Clay Thompson's Magic Lens as a basic structure for grammar instruction.  I am wanting to develop a consistent level of knowledge among our freshmen so that English 9 will be less about catching-up and more about implementation.  Here's a snapshot of our student work.

I am optimistic that creating a baseline of information will benefit our students when discussing writing.

Additionally, this week we integrated the fabulous Digital Driver's License website.  I am using this as an extension tool for our digital literacy curriculum.  DDL is an interactive website that uses multimedia to discuss many digital citizenship topics, and I recommend it to anyone concerned about digital literacy.

DDL; Available DDL. 

Finally, I have decided to really incorporate more editing procedures with our blog writing.  Although many students have great ideas and want to discuss them, it is difficult for readers to understand with the errors that go unnoticed.

As a rule, students have to have a partner read their work and point out any inconsistencies.  Students then have to read their work out loud to themselves so that they can hear any problems before publishing.  I'm hoping this focus on revision will encourage students to read their work and think about what they write rather than considering the first draft a publishable version.

I also created three basic outlines to help students reorganize their blog posts this week.  Many had difficulties transitioning from a journal style to a more formal format.  

• Option #1
• Option #2
• Option #3

Beyond the academics, classes are going extremely well.  Students appear engaged and excited to learn new technology.  I only wish that my own college classes were as different.  

Face Time Wars

Topic: Face Time use is being eased with Verizon Wireless plans while AT&T continues to force Wi-Fi only.

Virtual Phone. Available at FlickrCC. October 25, 2011.

Article Title: "Verizon will enable iPhone's FaceTime on all data plans, unlike AT&T"

Article Source: Ars Technica

Summary: Face Time has always been a major advantage of the iPhone for AT&T; unfortunately, Face Time is limited to a Wi-Fi access only. Until now. Verizon Wireless is allowing Face Time to use data plans without restriction; although, it will still use data from your plan once the iOS6 update is pushed out September 19.

Reaction: As an iPhone user, I really enjoy the bonus of using Face Time.  The only issue I've had with Face Time is the limitations.  My husband and I can't video chat when he's at work because he doesn't have Wi-Fi access.  Why would I have paid the extra money for that feature when it is unusable?  It is frustrating.  What is even worse is the issue with Verizon's forced shared data plans, but I won't go into that.

World Impact: Although the iPhone is Apple's baby, other companies who have been granted access to sell the technology are going to take as much advantage as possible of marketing in order to compete with Apple. Competition is good for these companies because consumers need to benefit from their specials. Internet and cell phone data isn't expensive to allow users access, yet companies are consistently monopolizing services and charging outrageous amounts.

Weekly Current Event Assignment

Current events assignment

It is very important for responsible citizens to be aware of what is going on around the globe.  Thus, you are required to do a weekly current events activity in this class.  This assignment will require you to read an article dedicated to technology and analyze it.  Additionally, you will peer edit your analysis each Thursday.  Your post (on your Schoology blog) must have the following criteria:

1. Topic: 1 pt.

• What is the topic of your article?

2. Article Title: 1 pt.

• What is the title of your article? Exact wording.

3. Article Source: 1 pt.

• Where did you get the article? Hyperlink it.

4. Summary: 2 pt.

• Briefly, and in your own words, summarize the content of the article.
• 3 sentence minimum

5. Reaction: 5 pt.

• Take a position on the issue in the article.
• How do you feel about this event?
• How does this event affect you?
• Five (5) sentence minimum.

6. World Impact: 6 pt.

• How does this event impact the world?
• Five (5) sentence minimum.

Your work must be in complete sentences and use excellent grammar.  Copy/pasting anything from the article without correct MLA citation is considered plagiarism and cheating.  This will result in a 0.  The weekly current events assignment will be a classwork grade.

This is an opinion piece.  You must make a commitment on the issue and use specific example to support your thoughts.  If you do not attach the original article, you will receive ½ credit.  This assignment is due every Thursday, without fail.